Distributed locater, alert, repeater, and/or call technologies for communication devices

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus that utilize distributed locater, alert, repeater, and/or call technologies for communication devices are presented herein. A base component can be configured to receive a message at a base unit, the message corresponding to at least one of a call directed to a wireless communication device or another message directed to at least one of the wireless communication device or a wired communication device. The base component can distribute an alert to at least one remote unit based on the message. A remote component can be configured to receive the alert at the at least one remote unit, and broadcast the alert or another alert from the at least one remote unit. An interface component can be configured to receive an input at the at least one remote unit based on the alert. Further, the remote component can be configured to transmit a response based on the input.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to distributed locater, alert,repeater, and/or call technologies for communication devices.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication devices, e.g., cellular phones, personal digitalassistants, smartphones, and the like, are ubiquitous. Such devices arecommonly used by people within a home or an office to communicate withothers. Although a wireless communication device can alert a subscriber,e.g., via sound(s), vibration(s), etc., when a phone call is directed tothe wireless communication device, if the subscriber is away from thewireless communication device, e.g., on a floor of a building differentfrom where the wireless communication device is located, the subscriberwill not be aware of the phone call.

The above-described deficiencies of today's wireless communicationnetworks and related technologies are merely intended to provide anoverview of some of the problems of conventional technology, and are notintended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art, andcorresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodimentsdescribed herein, may become further apparent upon review of thefollowing detailed description.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosed subject matter. It is not intendedto identify key or critical elements of the disclosed subject matter, ordelineate the scope of the subject innovations. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of the disclosed subject matter in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description presented later.

When a subscriber is away from a wired and/or wireless communicationdevice, e.g., when in/on a different room/floor of a building where thewired/wireless communication device is located, the subscriber may notbe aware that a call/message is directed to the wired/wirelesscommunication device. Moreover, the subscriber may not be aware that acall/message is directed to the wired/wireless communication device whenthe wired/wireless communication device is not powered. To correct forthese and other drawbacks of conventional communication techniques,various systems, methods, and apparatus described herein utilizedistributed locater, alert, repeater, and/or call technologies forcommunication devices. An example implementation is known as distributedlocater, alert, repeater, and call (DLARC) technology.

Aspects, features, and/or advantages of the disclosed subject matter canbe exploited in substantially any wireless telecommunication or radiotechnology, e.g., wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi™); Bluetooth™, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX™); Enhanced General PacketRadio Service (Enhanced GPRS); Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE™); Third Generation Partnership Project2 (3GPP2); Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB); 3GPP Universal MobileTelecommunication System (UMTS); High Speed Packet Access (HSPA); HighSpeed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA); High Speed Uplink Packet Access(HSUPA); LTE™ Advanced (LTE-A), Global System for Mobile Communication(GSM), etc.

Additionally, one or more embodiments described herein can includelegacy telecommunication technologies, e.g., plain old telephone service(POTS). Further, selections of a radio technology can include secondgeneration (2G), third generation (3G), and fourth generation (4G)evolution of the radio technology; however, such selections are notintended as a limitation of the disclosed subject matter and relatedaspects thereof. Further, aspects, features, and/or advantages of thedisclosed subject matter can be exploited in disparate electromagneticfrequency bands. Moreover, one or more embodiments described herein canbe executed in one or more network elements, such as a mobile wirelessdevice, e.g., user equipment (UE), and/or within one or more elements ofa network infrastructure, e.g., radio network controller.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detailcertain illustrative aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Theseaspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways inwhich the principles of the innovation may be employed. The disclosedsubject matter is intended to include all such aspects and theirequivalents. Other advantages and distinctive features of the disclosedsubject matter will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the innovation when considered in conjunction with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network including a distributed locater,alert, repeater, and call (DLARC) component, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates another wireless network including a DLARC component,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another wireless network including a DLARCcomponent, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless network including a DLARC component thatfacilitates alerting a subscriber via a wired interface, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a DLARC component including a base component and aremote component, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a DLARC system including a base component coupled toa remote component, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a DLARC system including a configuration component,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a DLARC system including an interface component, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process utilizing DLARC technology forcommunication devices, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates another process utilizing DLARC technology forcommunication devices, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another process utilizing DLARC technology forcommunication devices, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a process generating a customized alert via a remoteunit, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process providing information associated with acall and/or message via remote unit(s), in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a process emitting sound and/or lights via remoteunit(s), in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a base unit, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a remote unit, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a process performed by the remote unit, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an access point, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless network environment,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a block diagram of a computing system operable toexecute the disclosed methods and apparatus, in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatuspresented herein utilize distributed locater, alert, repeater, and call(DLARC) technologies for alerting one or more people in a building ofphone call(s) and/or message(s) received by one or more wirelesscommunication devices.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques describedherein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, orwith other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” or “anembodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” “platform,” “node,”“layer,” “selector,” “interface,” and the like are intended to refer toa computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution),and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor, a processrunning on a processor, an object, an executable, a program, a storagedevice, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, an applicationrunning on a server and the server can be a component. One or morecomponents can reside within a process, and a component can be localizedon one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

Further, these components can execute from various computer readablemedia having various data structures stored thereon. The components cancommunicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance witha signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network, e.g., the Internet, with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry; the electric or electronic circuitrycan be operated by a software application or a firmware applicationexecuted by one or more processors; the one or more processors can beinternal or external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts; the electroniccomponents can include one or more processors therein to executesoftware and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, thefunctionality of the electronic components.

The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance ofdoubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by suchexamples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as“exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meantto preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that theterms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intendedto be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an opentransition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

Artificial intelligence based systems, e.g., utilizing explicitly and/orimplicitly trained classifiers, can be employed in connection withperforming inference and/or probabilistic determinations and/orstatistical-based determinations as in accordance with one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter as described herein. Forexample, an artificial intelligence system can be used, via basecomponent 510 (described below), to automatically distribute an alertfrom a base unit to at least one remote unit, the alert corresponding toa call/message directed to a remote device. In another example, theartificial intelligence system can be used, via remote component 520(described below), to automatically broadcast the alert, or anotheralert, from at least one remote unit via audio and/or visual means (seebelow).

As used herein, the term “infer” or “inference” refers generally to theprocess of reasoning about, or inferring states of, the system,environment, user, and/or intent from a set of observations as capturedvia events and/or data. Captured data and events can include user data,device data, environment data, data from sensors, sensor data,application data, implicit data, explicit data, etc. Inference can beemployed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate aprobability distribution over states of interest based on aconsideration of data and events, for example. Inference can also referto techniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set ofevents and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of newevents or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored eventdata, whether the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, andwhether the events and data come from one or several event and datasources. Various classification schemes and/or systems (e.g., supportvector machines, neural networks, expert systems, Bayesian beliefnetworks, fuzzy logic, and data fusion engines) can be employed inconnection with performing automatic and/or inferred action inconnection with the disclosed subject matter.

In addition, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); optical disk (e.g., compact disk(CD), digital video disc (DVD), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); smart card(s); andflash memory device(s) (e.g., card, stick, key drive).

Moreover, terms like “user equipment,” (UE) “mobile station,” “mobilesubscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal”, “handset,”“appliance,” “machine,” “wireless communication device,” “cellularphone,” “personal digital assistant,” “smartphone,” and similarterminology refer to a wireless device at least one of (1) utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive and/orconvey data associated with voice, video, sound, and/or substantiallyany data-stream or signaling-stream; or (2) utilized by a subscriber ofa voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service that delivers voicecommunications over internet protocol (IP) networks such as the Internetor other packet-switched networks. Further, the foregoing terms areutilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings.

Likewise, the terms “local wireless communications cite,” “access point”(AP), “base station,” “Node B,” “evolved Node B,” “home Node B” (HNB),“home access point” (HAP), and the like are utilized interchangeably inthe subject specification and drawings and refer to a wireless networkcomponent or apparatus that sends and/or receives data associated withvoice, video, sound, and/or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream between a set of subscriber stations—unless contextwarrants particular distinction(s) among the terms. Further, the dataand signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“agent,” “owner,” and the like are employed interchangeably throughoutthe subject specification and related drawings, unless context warrantsparticular distinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated thatsuch terms can refer to human entities, or automated componentssupported through artificial intelligence, e.g., a capacity to makeinference based on complex mathematical formalisms, which can providesimulated vision, sound recognition, decision making, etc.

Also, the terms “local wireless communications cite,” “access point,”“base station,” and the like are utilized interchangeably throughout thesubject specification, and refer to devices that can receive andtransmit signal(s) from and to wireless devices through one or moreantennas. In addition, the terms “wireless network” and “network” areused interchangeable in the subject application, unless context warrantsparticular distinction(s) among the terms.

The subject disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatusassociated with distributed locater, alert, repeater, and call (DLARC)technologies for alerting one or more people in a building of phonecall(s) and/or message(s) received by one or more wireless communicationdevices and/or message(s) received by one or more wired communicationdevices. As described above, conventional communication techniques canreduce a subscriber's experience(s) because the subscriber can misscalls/messages directed to a wired and/or a wireless communicationdevice when the subscriber is away from the wired and/or the wirelesscommunication device, and/or when the wired and/or the wirelesscommunication device is powered off. Compared to such techniques,various systems, methods, and apparatus described herein facilitatealerting the subscriber of calls/messages directed to a wirelesscommunication device, and/or of messages directed to a wiredcommunication device, via DLARC technology utilized in a wirelessnetwork.

The wireless network can include a local wireless communications cite(or base station), which can use a licensed radio spectrum operated andcontrolled by a wireless service provider. A mobile device, or wirelesscommunication device, operated by a subscriber within a coverage areatypically communicates with a core network via the base station. Themobile device can register with the base station and communication,e.g., voice traffic, data traffic, can be routed to the subscriberthrough the base station utilizing the licensed radio spectrum. The basestation can employ a backhaul network, e.g., broadband wired or wirelessnetwork backbone, to route packet communication, e.g., voice traffic,data traffic, data, to the core network.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network 100 including a DLARC component120 for alerting one or more people in a building of phone call(s)and/or message(s), e.g., SMS message(s), MMS message(s), IM message(s),email, Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD), etc. directed toone or more communication devices, in accordance with an embodiment. Asdescribed above, when a subscriber is away from a wired and/or awireless communication device, the subscriber can miss a call/messagedirected to the wireless communication device, e.g., when the subscriberis on a different floor of a building from where the wirelesscommunication device is located; or the subscriber can miss a messagedirected to the wired communication device. Accordingly, when thecall/message is directed to the wireless communication device, or themessage is directed to the wired communication device, DLARC component120 can alert the subscriber of the call/message via one or more DLARCremote units (not shown) located in different areas of the building.

In an aspect, wireless communication device 110 can send amessage/signal, e.g., via wireless and/or wired means, to DLARCcomponent 120 indicating the call/message is directed to the wirelesscommunication device. Correspondingly, DLARC component 120 candistribute an alert via the one or more DLARC remote units based on themessage/signal. For example, the alert can include any means forindicating a call is directed to wireless communication device 110, suchas various audio means, e.g., ringtone(s) broadcast via speakersinternal and/or external to the one or more DLARC remote units; and/orvisual means, e.g., lights internal and/or external to the one or moreDLARC remote units.

It should be appreciated that one or more aspects of DLARC component 120can be located/included within and/or across one or more components,e.g., hardware, software, etc., of wireless network 100, e.g., within oramong hardware and/or software of components of wireless communicationdevice 110, or a macro network (see, e.g., below) of wireless network100.

In another aspect illustrated by FIG. 2, a wireless network 200 caninclude a wireless communications cite, or base station 210, which canuse a licensed radio spectrum operated and controlled by a wirelessservice provider. Wireless communication devices 220 _(A) and 220 _(B)can be operated by a subscriber within a “macro” cell coverage area,e.g., macro cell 205, served by base station 210. It should beappreciated that although macro cells 205 are illustrated as hexagons,macro cells 205 can adopt other geometries generally dictated by adeployment or topography of the macro cell coverage area, or coveredgeographic area, e.g., metropolitan statistical area (MSA), ruralstatistical area (RSA), etc. Macro cell coverage is generally intendedto serve wireless communication devices 220 _(A) and 220 _(B) in outdoorlocations. An over-the-air wireless link 215 provides the macro coverageand comprises a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL) (both not shown) thatcan utilize a predetermined band of radio frequency (RF) spectrumassociated with, e.g., GSM, 3GPP UMTS. Accordingly, wirelesscommunication device 220 _(A) can be a GSM and/or 3GPP UMTS mobilephone, while wireless communication device 220 _(E) can be a remotecomputing device with GSM and/or 3GPP UMTS capabilities.

Base station 210—including associated electronics, circuitry and/orcomponents—and wireless link 215 form a radio network, e.g., basestation subsystem (BSS) associated with a GSM wireless network, or radioaccess network (RAN) associated with a UMTS wireless network. Inaddition, base station 210 communicates with macro network platform 208via backhaul link(s) 251. Macro network platform 208 is associated withservice provider network 255, or a core network, which can comprise oneor more cellular technologies, e.g., 3GPP UMTS, GSM, etc. In one aspect,macro network platform 208 controls a set of base stations 210 thatserve either respective cells or a number of sectors within such cells.Macro network platform 208 can also communicate with other base stations(not shown) that serve other cells (not shown). Backhaul link(s) 251 caninclude a wired backbone link, e.g., optical fiber backbone,twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, synchronous or asynchronous digitalsubscriber line (DSL), asymmetric DSL (ADSL), coaxial cable, etc.Moreover, backhaul links(s) 251 can link disparate base stations 210based on macro network platform 208.

Packet communication, e.g., voice traffic, data traffic, is typicallyrouted through a broadband wired network backbone (or backhaul network)utilizing, e.g., optical fiber backbone, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phoneline, synchronous or asynchronous DSL, ADSL, coaxial cable, etc. To thisend, base station 210 is typically connected to the backhaul network,e.g., service provider network 255, via a broadband modem (not shown)and backhaul link(s) 251. Through backhaul link(s) 251, base station 210can handle substantially any quality of service (QoS) for heterogeneouspacketized traffic, e.g., various multiple packet flows.

Further, base station 210 can integrate into the core network, e.g., GSMor 3GPP network, via various interfaces, for example: via an A-bisinterface (not shown) between a base transceiver station (BTS) and abase station controller (BSC); via an Iub interface (not shown) betweena radio network controller (RNC) and base station 210; via an interface(not shown) between an RNC and a Circuit Switched Core Network (CS-CN);via an interface (not shown) between an RNC and an Iu-CS interface; viaan interface (not shown) between an RNC and a Packet Switched CoreNetwork (or Iu-PS interface); via an interface (not shown) between a BSCand a mobile switching center (MSC) and/or Network Switching Subsystem(NNS); via an interface (not shown) between a Serving General PacketRadio Service Support Node (SGSN) and a public data network (PDN) (or Giinterface); via an interface (not shown) between an SGSN and other SGSNs(or Gn interface).

As described above, conventional wireless communication technology canreduce a subscriber's experience(s) because the subscriber can miss acall/message directed to a wireless communication device when thesubscriber is away from the wireless communication device, and/or whenthe wireless communication device is not powered. Compared to suchtechnology, various systems, methods, and apparatus described hereinutilize DLARC technology in a wireless network to facilitate alertingone or more subscribers of calls/messages directed to wirelesscommunication device(s).

Referring now to FIG. 2, DLARC component 230 can couple to wirelesscommunication device 220 _(A)/220 _(B) via wireless link 215 associatedwith the one or more cellular technologies. As such, DLARC component 230can include one or more wireless access points (not shown) to facilitatecommunication via wireless link 215. The one or more wireless accesspoints can include a microcell access point, a picocell access point, afemtocell access point, or other wireless based access points associatedwith the one or more cellular technologies. For example, wirelesscommunication device 220 _(A)/220 _(B) can send a wireless signal viathe one or more cellular technologies to DLARC component 230 to indicatea call/message is directed to wireless communication device 220 _(A)/220_(B). In another aspect, DLARC component 230 can couple to base station210 via wireless link 215, e.g., base station 210 can send a wirelesssignal via the one or more cellular technologies to DLARC component 230to indicate a call/message is directed to wireless communication device220 _(A)/220 _(B). When DLARC component 230 receives a wirelesssignal/message from wireless communication device 220 _(A)/220 _(B)and/or base station 210, DLARC component 230 can alert subscriber(s) ofan associated call/message via one or more DLARC remote units (notshown).

It should be appreciated that although DLARC component 230 isillustrated in FIG. 2 as an entity distinct from, e.g., base stations210, wireless communication devices 220 _(A) and 220 _(B), serviceprovider network 225, etc., aspects and/or features of DLARC component230 can be located/included within and/or across one or more components,e.g., hardware, software, etc., of wireless network 200. For example, inone embodiment, DLARC component 230 can be located within anycomponent(s) of a GSM and/or UMTS core network, e.g. service providernetwork 255. In another embodiment, DLARC component 230 can be locatedin hardware and/or software of base stations 210 and/or wirelesscommunication devices 220 _(A) and 220 _(B).

In another aspect illustrated by FIG. 3, wireless network 300 caninclude DLARC component 310, which can include a wireless access point330. Wireless access point 330 can include an infrared (IR) interface, aWiMAX™ access point, a Bluetooth™ access point, or other wireless-basedaccess points. As such, wireless communication device 220 _(A)/220 _(B)can couple to DLARC component 310, e.g., wireless access point 330, viawireless link 315 utilizing infrared radiation, WiMAX™, Bluetooth™, orother wireless technology. Accordingly, wireless communication device220 _(A)/220 _(B) can send a wireless signal via such wirelesstechnology to DLARC component 310, indicating a call/message is directedto wireless communication device 220 _(A)/220 _(B). Further, DLARCcomponent 310 can alert subscriber(s) of an associated call/message viaone or more DLARC remote units (not shown) when DLARC component 310receives, or approximately when DLARC component 310 receives, thewireless signal/message via wireless access point 330.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless network 400 including a DLARC component430 that facilitates alerting a subscriber via a wired interface 420, inaccordance with an embodiment. Wired interface 420 couples DLARCcomponent 430 with service provider network 410. Service providernetwork 410 can be a core network similar to service provider network255 (see above), and can include a macro network platform (not shown),e.g., macro network platform 208. Further, in an aspect, serviceprovider network 410 can be coupled to base stations (not shown), via awired link, e.g., optical fiber, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line,synchronous or asynchronous DSL, ADSL, coaxial cable, etc. In anotheraspect, service provider network 410 can couple to DLARC component 430via similar wired links, or wired interface 420, e.g., optical fiber,twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, synchronous or asynchronous DSL,ADSL, coaxial cable, etc.

As illustrated by FIG. 4, wireless communication device 220 _(A) can beassociated with coverage area 450, which is a wireless coverage areafrom which wireless communication device 220 _(A) can wirelesslycommunicate with various access points associated with wireless network400, e.g., wireless access points 440 of DLARC components 430. Wirelessaccess points 440 can include a microcell access point, a picocellaccess point, a femtocell access point, or other wireless based accesspoints associated with the one or more cellular technologies. Further,wireless access points 440 can include a WiMAX™ access point, aBluetooth™ access point, or other wireless-based access pointsfacilitating wireless communication between DLARC components 430 andwireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication device 220_(A)/220 _(B).

When coverage area 450 is out of range of wireless access points 440and/or other wireless access points of wireless network 400, e.g., whenwireless communication device 220 _(A) is left by a subscriber manymiles away from the subscriber's home and/or office associated withDLARC component 430, DLARC component 430 can receive a signal/messagefrom service provider network 410 via wired interface 420 indicating acall/message is directed to wireless communication device 220 _(A). Inone aspect described below, DLARC component 430 can facilitatereceiving/accepting the call/message via DLARC component 430, e.g., viavarious input means, including, but not limited to, text communicationutilizing a keypad, audio communication utilizing a microphone, etc.

In another aspect illustrated by FIG. 4, when a call/message is directedto wireless communication device 220 _(B), which is within wirelessrange of wireless access points 440 (or other wireless access pointsassociated with wireless network 400), but is powered off, DLARCcomponent 430 can receive a signal/message from service provider network410 via wired interface 420 indicating a call/message is directed towireless communication device 220 _(B). Further, DLARC component 430 canfacilitate receiving/accepting the call/message via DLARC component 430(see below).

In yet another aspect (not shown), when a message, e.g., email, textmessage, etc. is directed to a wired communication device, e.g., laptop,personal computer, home theater, etc. DLARC component can receive asignal/message via wired interface 420 indicating the message isdirected to the wired communication device. Moreover, DLARC component430 can facilitate receiving/accepting the message, e.g., responding toan email, via DLARC component 430.

Aspects of wireless network 400, and the wireless environments,networks, systems, apparatus, and processes explained herein, canconstitute machine-executable instructions embodied within a machine,e.g., embodied in a computer readable medium associated with themachine. Such instructions, when executed by the machine, can cause themachine to perform the operations described. Additionally, the systemsand processes can be embodied within hardware, such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like. Moreover, the order inwhich some or all of the process blocks appear in each process shouldnot be deemed limiting. Rather, it should be understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosurethat some of the process blocks can be executed in a variety of ordersnot illustrated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a DLARC component 500, in accordance with anembodiment. DLARC component 500 can include a base component 510 and aremote component 520. Base component 510 can be configured to receive amessage at a base unit (not shown), the message corresponding to atleast one of a call directed to a wireless communication device (notshown) or an other message, e.g., SMS message, MMS message, IM message,email, USSD, etc. directed to the wireless communication device and/or awired communication device (not shown). In one aspect, the at least oneof the call or the other message can be directed to a cellular phone, apersonal digital assistant, a smartphones, a laptop computer, a personalcomputer, etc. via a wireless protocol, e.g., 3GPP UMTS, GSM, etc.

In another aspect, base component 510 can be configured to receive themessage at the base unit via a wired interface (not shown) e.g., wiredinterface 420. In yet another aspect, base component 510 can beconfigured to receive the message at the base unit via a wirelessinterface (not shown). The wireless interface can include at least oneof: an infrared interface; a microcell; a microcell access point; apicocell; a picocell access point; a femtocell; a femtocell accesspoint; a Wi-Fi™ access point; a WiMAX™ access point; a Bluetooth™ accesspoint; an Enhanced GPRS access point; a 3GPP access point; an LTE™access point; a 3GPP2 access point; a UMB access point; a 3GPP UMTSaccess point; an HSPA access point; a HSDPA access point; a HSUPA accesspoint; an LTE-A access point; or a GSM access point.

Further, base component 510 can be configured to distribute an alertand/or communication from the base unit to at least one remote unit (notshown) based on the message, e.g., when, or approximately when, the atleast one of the call or the message is transmitted to the wirelesscommunication device, e.g., via base station 210, or the message istransmitted to the wired communication device. In an aspect, basecomponent 510 can be configured to distribute the alert from the baseunit to the at least one remote unit via a wired interface (not shown),e.g., optical fiber, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, synchronous orasynchronous DSL, ADSL, coaxial cable, etc.

In another aspect, base component 510 can be configured to distributethe alert from the base unit to the at least one remote unit via awireless interface (not shown). The wireless interface can include atleast one of: an infrared interface; a microcell; a microcell accesspoint; a picocell; a picocell access point; a femtocell; a femtocellaccess point; a Wi-Fi™ access point; a WiMAX™ access point; a Bluetooth™access point; an Enhanced GPRS access point; a 3GPP access point; a LTE™access point; a 3GPP2 access point; a UMB access point; a 3GPP UMTSaccess point; a HSPA access point; a HSDPA access point; a HSUPA) accesspoint; an LTE-A access point; or a GSM access point.

Remote component 520 can be configured to receive the alert at the atleast one remote unit, e.g., via the wired and/or wireless interfacediscussed above. In addition, remote component 520 can be configured tobroadcast the alert, or an other alert, from the at least one remoteunit. In one aspect, remote component 520 can be configured to broadcastthe alert, or the other alert, from the at least one remote unit via atleast one of an audible means or a visual means. For example, theaudible means can include a speaker and/or sound device; and the visualmeans can include a light emitting diode (LED) and/or other lightsource. In another aspect, the audible means can emit a ring tone. Inyet another aspect, the visual means can emit colored light. In thisway, remote component 520 can alert a subscriber of a call/messagedirected to a wired communication device or a wireless communicationdevice associated with the subscriber, e.g., when the subscriber is awayfrom the wireless communication device and the subscriber is located ina building associated with DLARC component 500; or when the wirelesscommunication device is powered off and the subscriber is located thebuilding associated with DLARC component 500.

For example, in an embodiment illustrated by FIG. 6, base component 610can include base unit 620, which can be coupled to remote units 640 ofremote component 630 via a wireless and/or wired interface, e.g.,interface 625. In an aspect, interface 625 can include at least one ofoptical fiber, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, synchronous orasynchronous DSL, ADSL, coaxial cable, etc. In another aspect, interface625 can include at least one of an infrared interface; a microcell; amicrocell access point; a picocell; a picocell access point; afemtocell; a femtocell access point; a Wi-Fi™ access point; a WiMAX™access point; a Bluetooth™ access point, etc.

As illustrated by FIG. 6, remote units 640 can include wireless accesspoints 330, which can include an IR interface, a WiMAX™ access point, aBluetooth™ access point, or other wireless-based access points. Further,remote units 640 can be located on different floors 635 of a building(not shown) associated with DLARC component 600. In an aspect, when acall/message is directed to a wireless communication device associatedwith a subscriber, base unit 620 can be notified, or alerted, via wiredand/or wireless means. Further, base unit 620 can distribute an alert toremote units 640 via wireless access points 330. Accordingly, when thesubscriber is located in the building, but away from his/herwired/wireless communication device, and/or when the when thewired/wireless communication device is not powered, DLARC system 600 canalert the subscriber of the call/message via DLARC remote units 640.Further, in another embodiment (see below) DLARC component 600 canfacilitate receiving/accepting the call/message via interface component830.

FIG. 7 illustrates a DLARC system 700 including a configurationcomponent 720, according to an embodiment. Configuration component 720can be configured to receive input from at least one subscriberassociated with at least one of the wireless communication device or thewired communication device, e.g., discussed above in relation to DLARCsystem 600. In an aspect (not shown), configuration component 720 caninclude an internet, or web-based, interface configured to receive theinput, e.g., via input devices 1636 (see below), from the at least onesubscriber. For example, the internet interface can facilitate managingand/or configuring different subscriber accounts associated with a DLARCsystem, e.g., DLARC system 700. In another aspect, the differentsubscriber accounts can be maintained in a central database, e.g.,associated with a wireless service provider. The central database caninclude various storage media, e.g., disk storage 1624, memory storage1646, such storage media including, but not limited to: magnetic storagedevices, e.g., hard disk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); optical disk(e.g., compact disk (CD), digital video disc (DVD), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD));smart card(s); and flash memory device(s) (e.g., card, stick, keydrive).

In yet another aspect, different subscribers can be associated with onewired/wireless communication device and/or different wired/wirelesscommunication devices. As such, the internet interface can facilitateconfiguring DLARC system 700, e.g., via the different subscriberaccounts, to alert the different subscribers, via remote component 730,utilizing distinct alerts/announcements, e.g., distinct ring tones,distinct sounds, distinct colored lights, etc. Accordingly, basecomponent 710 can be configured to distribute a customized alert to theat least one remote unit based on the input. Further, remote component730 can be configured to broadcast/transmit the customized alert, oranother customized alert from the at least one remote unit, e.g., via atleast one of an audible means or a visual means.

Now referring to FIG. 8, a DLARC system 800 including an interfacecomponent 830 is illustrated, according to an embodiment. In referenceto the discussion of DLARC component 500 above, interface component 830can be configured to receive an input, e.g., via input device(s) 1650(see below), input device(s) 1936 (see below), at the at least oneremote unit based on the alert. Remote component 820 can be configuredto transmit a response to the call, or the other message, e.g., SMSmessage, MMS message, IM message, email, USSD, etc. from the at leastone remote unit based on the input. For example, a subscriber associatedwith the call or the other message can enter an input, e.g., via aninput device, touchpad, keypad, etc. associated with the at least oneremote unit when the subscriber senses the alert. Remote component 820can be configured to transmit a response to the call or the othermessage when the subscriber enters the input. In one embodiment, remotecomponent 820 can be configured to transmit the response utilizing atleast one of a short message service (SMS) protocol, a multimediamessaging service (MMS) protocol, an internet messaging (IM) protocol,email protocol, or USSD protocol. In this way, DLARC system 800 enablesa subscriber to receive and/or accept a call/message via interfacecomponent 830.

In another embodiment (not shown), interface component 830 can includemeans for receiving the input, the means for receiving the inputincluding at least one of a telephone handset, a microphone, a videocamera, etc. Moreover, interface component 830 can include means forreceiving the call or the other message including at least one of atransceiver, display, e.g., a video monitor, a liquid crystal display(LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, etc. or the telephonehandset.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), and in reference to thediscussion of DLARC component 500 above, interface component, e.g.,interface component 830, can be configured to receive an input at the atleast one remote unit based on the alert. Remote component, e.g., remotecomponent 520 and/or remote component 820, can be configured to at leastone of: receive the call or the other message at the at least one remoteunit based on the input; or accept the call or the other message at theat least one remote unit based on the input. For example, remotecomponent 520 and/or remote component 820 can be configured to receiveor accept the call, or the other message, at the at least one remoteunit based on, e.g., a subscriber picking up a telephone handset of theat least one remote unit to answer/receive/accept the call/othermessage; or the subscriber touching a key on a keypad/input device ofthe at least one remote unit.

For example, the wireless communication device at which a call isdirected can be a computing device associated with VOIP technology. Whenthe call is directed to the computing device, base component, e.g., basecomponent 810, can distribute an alert to remote units, e.g., remoteunits 640, of remote component 820 via wireless access points 330.Interface 830 can facilitate accepting/receiving the call via remoteunits 640 utilizing VOIP protocol, e.g., via at least one of a telephonehandset, a microphone, a video camera, etc.

In another example, when an email is directed to the wireless and/or thewired communication device, base component 810 can distribute an alertto remote units, e.g., remote units 640, of remote component 820 viawireless access points 330. Interface 830 can facilitateaccepting/receiving/responding to the email via remote units 640.

In one aspect (not illustrated), remote component 520 and/or remotecomponent 820 can be configured to display a caller identification (ID)at the at least one remote unit, the caller ID associated with the callor the other message. For example, the caller ID can be displayed via adisplay, e.g., a video monitor, an LCD, an LED display, etc.

FIGS. 9-14 and 17 illustrate methodologies in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. For simplicity of explanation, themethodologies are depicted and described as a series of acts. It is tobe understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limitedby the acts illustrated and/or by the order of acts. For example, actscan occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts notpresented or described herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts maybe required to implement the methodologies in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art willunderstand and appreciate that the methodologies could alternatively berepresented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram orevents. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that themethodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout this specificationare capable of being stored on an article of manufacture to facilitatetransporting and transferring such methodologies to computers. The termarticle of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass acomputer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier,or media.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a process 900 utilizing DLARC technology forcommunication devices is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment.At 910, a first message can be sent to a base unit, e.g., base unit 620,indicating a phone call and/or message, e.g., SMS message, MMS message,IM message, email, USSD, etc. is directed/sent to a wirelesscommunication device, e.g., 220 _(A)/220 _(B), or directed/sent to awired communication device. In an aspect, the first message can be sentvia wired and/or wireless means, e.g., optical fiber, twisted-pair line,T1/E1 phone line, synchronous or asynchronous DSL, ADSL, coaxial cable;and/or via wireless access points 330, which can include an IRinterface, a WiMAX™ access point, a Bluetooth™ access point, or otherwireless-based access points. At 920, a third message can be transmittedfrom the base unit to one or more remote units, e.g., via the wiredand/or wireless means described above, at a time similar and/orsubstantially similar to another time when the first message is sent tothe base unit. Correspondingly, an alert, e.g., sounds and/or light, canbe emitted/broadcast via an audible and/or visual means by the remoteunit(s). In an aspect, the audible and/or visual means can include asound source and/or light source, respectively, e.g., a speaker and/orone or more LEDs. In this way, a subscriber can be alerted, e.g., of acall associated with the subscriber's wireless communication device whenthe subscriber is away from the wireless communication device, or whenthe wireless communication device is not powered.

FIG. 10 illustrates another process (1000) for utilizing DLARCtechnology for communication devices, in accordance with an embodiment.At 1010, an indication can be received at a base unit, e.g., via system600, indicating a call/message is directed to a wireless communicationdevice, or a message is directed to a wired communication device,associated with, e.g., system 600. An alert/message can be distributedfrom the base unit to one or more remote unit(s) via the wired and/orwireless means (described above) at 1020. Upon receiving thealert/message at 1030, the remote unit(s) can broadcast anotheralert/notification via the audible and/or visual means (described above)at 1040. Further, upon receiving an input via an input device, e.g.,keypad, telephone handset, etc. of a remote unit at 1050, the remoteunit can facilitate accepting and/or placing the call/message based onthe input at 1060. For example, the remote unit can facilitatetransmitting an SMS, MMS, IM message, email, and/or USSD from the remoteunit in response to the call/message.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another process (1100) utilizing DLARCtechnology for communication devices, in accordance with an embodiment.At 1110, input can be received from a subscriber associated with, e.g.,system 600, via an internet, or web-based, interface. The web-basedinterface can facilitate managing and/or configuring differentsubscriber accounts associated with a DLARC system, e.g., DLARC system600. Such accounts can be maintained in a central database, e.g.,associated with a wireless service provider. The central database caninclude various storage media, e.g., disk storage 1624, memory storage1646, and not limited to: magnetic storage devices, e.g., hard disk;floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD),digital video disc (DVD), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); smart card(s); and flashmemory device(s) (e.g., card, stick, key drive).

At 1120, an account of the subscriber can be updated based on the input;and the DLARC system can be configured based on the update at 1130. Forexample, an alert associated with the subscriber can becustomized/configured based on the input received at 1110. Accordingly,when a call and/or message associated with a wireless communicationdevice of the subscriber is sent/directed to the wireless communicationdevice, or when a message, e.g., email, is sent/directed to a wiredcommunication device of the subscriber, a customized alert can bedistributed to one or more remote units based on the subscriber'saccount at 1140. The customized alert can be broadcast/transmitted fromthe one or more remote units via an audible and/or visual means (seeabove).

Referring now to FIG. 12 a process 1200 for generating a customizedalert via a remote unit is illustrated, in accordance with anembodiment. At 1210, it can be determined whether a message is receivedat a base unit, e.g., base unit 620, based on a call/another messagedirected to a wireless/wired device associated with a subscriber. If themessage is received at the base unit, the base unit can notify, at 1220,one or more remote units via wired and/or wireless means (see above) togenerate an alert. At 1230, the one or more remote units can generate acustomized alert, e.g., distinct ring tone(s), distinct sound(s),distinct colored light(s), etc. based on subscriber informationassociated with the call/message.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process 1300 for providing information associatedwith a call and/or message via remote unit(s), in accordance with anembodiment. At 1310, a call or message, e.g., SMS message, MMS message,IM message, email, USSD, etc., can be directed to a mobile device and/orwired device. A base unit, e.g., base unit 620, can notify one or moreremote units of the call or message via wired and/or wireless means (seeabove) at 1320. At 1330, an alert can be generated via the one or moreremote units utilizing audible and/or visual means (described above).Information associated with the call or message, e.g., caller ID, can beprovided at 1340 via a display device, e.g., LCD, LED, video display,etc.

FIG. 14 illustrates a process 1400 for emitting sound and/or lights viaremote unit(s), in accordance with an embodiment. At 1410, it can bedetermined whether a phone call is directed to a wireless device. If itis determined that the phone call is directed to the wireless device,then a base unit, e.g., base unit 620, can receive a message via wiredand/or wireless means (see above) at 1420. At 1430, an alert can bedistributed to one or more remote units via a wired and/or wirelessmeans (see above). Sound or light can be emitted from the one or moreremote units at 1440 via an audible and/or visual means (see above)based on the alert.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a base unit 1500, in accordancewith an embodiment. In an aspect, base unit 1500 can be configured toreceive a message corresponding to at least one of a call directed to awireless communication device or an other message, e.g., SMS message,MMS message, IM message, email, USSD, etc. directed to at least one ofthe wireless communication device or a wired communication device.Further, base unit 1500 can be configured to distribute an alert to atleast one remote unit, e.g., remote unit 640, based on the message forbroadcast of the alert by the at least one remote unit or for broadcastof an other alert by the at least one remote unit.

In other aspect(s), base unit 1500 can perform the acts described aboverelated to, e.g., wireless network 400, DLARC component 500, DLARCsystem 600, DLARC system 700, and DLARC system 800. Further, base unit1500 can perform acts, via processor(s) 1510, described with respect toFIGS. 9-14. Processors(s) 1510 can perform such acts within base unit1500 utilizing, e.g., memory device(s) 1520, wireless transceiver(s)1530, and wired interface 1540. In an aspect (not shown), processor(s)1510 can perform such acts within base unit 1500 without wired interface1540. For example, base unit 1500 can communicate with remote units,e.g., remote unit 1600 (see below), via a wireless protocol utilizingwireless transceiver(s) 1630.

In another example, base unit 1500 can be configured to receive themessage via a wired interface and/or a wireless interface. In yetanother example, base unit 1500 can be configured to distribute thealert to the at least one remote unit via a wired and/or wirelessinterface, e.g., wirelessly coupled to wireless access point 330,wireless access point 440, etc. In one aspect, base unit 1500 caninclude a configuration component configured to receive input from atleast one subscriber associated with the wired and/or wirelesscommunication device. Further, base unit 1500 can be configured todistribute a customized alert to the at least one remote unit—based onthe input—for broadcast of the customized alert by the at least oneremote unit or for broadcast of an other customized alert by the atleast one remote unit. In another aspect, the customized alert or theother customized alert can include at least one of a ring tone emittedvia the at least one remote unit or a color of light emitted via the atleast one remote unit, the ring tone and the color of light associatedwith the at least one subscriber.

In yet another aspect, the configuration component can include aninterface configured to receive the input from the at least onesubscriber via the Internet.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a remote unit 1600, in accordancewith an embodiment. In an aspect, remote unit 1600 can include a remotecomponent (not shown) configured to receive an alert at remote unit1600, the alert distributed by a base unit, e.g., base unit 1500, basedon at least one of a call directed to a wireless communication device oran other message directed to at least one of the wireless communicationdevice or a wired communication device. Further, the remote componentcan be configured to broadcast the alert, or an other alert, from theremote unit in response to receiving the alert.

In another aspect, the remote component can include an interfacecomponent configured to receive an input at the remote unit based on thealert. In addition, the remote component can be further configured totransmit, based on the input, a response to the at least one of the calldirected to the wireless communication device or the other messagedirected to the wireless communication device from the remote unit. Forexample, the remote component can be configured to transmit the responsevia at least one of a short message service (SMS) protocol, a multimediamessaging service (MMS) protocol, or an internet messaging (IM)protocol.

In yet another aspect, the remote component can include an interfacecomponent (not shown) that can be configured to receive an input at theremote unit based on the alert. Moreover, the remote component can beconfigured to receive at the remote unit, based on the input, the atleast one of the call directed to the wireless communication device orthe other message directed to the at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or the wired communication device; and/or accept atthe remote unit, based on the input, the at least one of the calldirected to the wireless communication device or the other messagedirected to the at least one of the wireless communication device or thewired communication device.

In one aspect, the remote component can be configured to display acaller identification (ID) at the remote unit, the caller ID associatedwith the at least one of the call directed to the wireless communicationdevice or the other message directed to the at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or the wired communication device. In anotheraspect, the remote component can be configured to broadcast the alertfrom the remote unit via at least one of an audible or a visual means,or broadcast the other alert from the remote unit via the at least oneof the audible or the visual means. For example, the at least one of theaudible or the visual means can include at least one of a sound deviceor a light emitting diode (LED).

In other aspect(s), remote unit 1600 can perform the acts describedabove related to, e.g., FIGS. 1-14. Processor(s) 1610 can perform suchacts within remote unit 1600 using, e.g., memory device(s) 1620,wireless transceiver(s) 1630, audio/visual output 1640, and inputdevices 1650. In an aspect (not shown), processor(s) 1610 can performsuch acts within remote unit 1600 utilizing a wired interface (seeabove). In another aspect, remote unit 1600 can generate an alert viaaudio/visual output 1640, e.g., via sound devices, lights, etc. In yetanother aspect, remote unit 1600 can facilitatereceiving/accepting/responding to the call/message via audio/visualoutput 1640, e.g., via an LCD, video monitor, output devices 1940, etc.Moreover, remote unit 1600 can facilitate receiving/accepting/respondingto the call/message via input devices 1650, e.g., touchpad, keypad,input devices 1936, etc.

Now referring to FIG. 17, a process performed by remote component 1600is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. At 1710, a firstmessage can be received at a base unit indicating a phone call isdirected to a wireless communication device or a second message isdirected to at least one of the wireless communication device or a wiredcommunication device. A third message indicating audio and/or visualalerts for broadcast by at least one remote unit can be transmitted at1720 from the base unit to the at least one remote unit based on thefirst message. Further, an input an be received at the at least oneremote unit at 1720. At 1740, the phone call or the second message canbe accepted or responded to via the at least one remote unit based onthe input.

To provide further context for various aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter, FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate, respectively, a block diagram of anembodiment 1800 of an access point 1805, e.g., base station 210,wireless access point 330, wireless access point 440, which can enableand/or exploit features or aspects of the disclosed subject matter; anda wireless network environment 1900 including a macro network platform1910, radio network 1990, and DLARC component 500 exploiting aspects ofthe subject innovation in accordance with various aspects of the subjectspecification.

In embodiment 1800, access point 1805 can receive and transmit signal(s)from and to wireless devices, e.g., wireless ports and routers, or thelike, through a set of antennas 1820 ₁-1820 _(N) (N is a positiveinteger). Antennas 1820 ₁-1820 _(N) are a part of communication platform1815, which comprises electronic components and associated circuitrythat provide for processing and manipulation of received signal(s) andother signal(s) to be transmitted.

In an aspect, communication platform 1815 includes areceiver/transmitter 1816 that can convert analog signals to digitalsignals upon reception of the analog signals, and convert digitalsignals to analog signals upon transmission. In addition,receiver/transmitter 1816 can divide a single data stream into multiple,parallel data streams, or perform the reciprocal operation. Coupled toreceiver/transmitter 1816 is a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1817 thatfacilitates manipulation of signals in time and frequency space.Electronic component 1817 can multiplex information (data/traffic andcontrol/signaling) according to various multiplexing schemes such astime division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM),orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code divisionmultiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing (SDM). In addition,mux/demux component 1817 can scramble and spread information, e.g.,codes, according to substantially any code known in the art, e.g.,Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes, polyphase codes, etc. Amodulator/demodulator 1818 is also a part of communication platform1815, and can modulate information according to multiple modulationtechniques, such as frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, e.g.,M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), with M a positive integer);phase-shift keying (PSK); etc.

Access point 1805 also includes a processor 1835 configured to confer,at least in part, functionality to substantially any electroniccomponent in access point 1805. In particular, processor 1835 canfacilitate configuration of access point 1805 via, e.g., DLARC component120, and one or more component therein. Additionally, access point 1805can include display interface 1812, which can display functions thatcontrol functionality of access point 1805, or reveal operationconditions thereof. In addition, display interface 1812 can include ascreen to convey information to an end user. In an aspect, displayinterface 1812 can be an LCD, a plasma panel, a monolithic thin-filmbased electrochromic display, and so on. Moreover, display interface1812 can also include a component (e.g., speaker) that facilitatescommunication of aural indicia, which can also be employed in connectionwith messages that convey operational instructions to an end user.Display interface 1812 can also facilitate data entry e.g., through alinked keypad or via touch gestures, which can cause access point 1805to receive external commands, e.g., restart operation.

Broadband network interface 1814 facilitates connection of access point1805 to a service provider network (e.g., 255) (not shown in FIG. 18)via backhaul link(s) (e.g., 251) (not shown in FIG. 18), which enableincoming and outgoing data flow. Broadband network interface 1814 can beinternal or external to access point 1805, and can utilize displayinterface 1812 for end-user interaction and status information delivery.

Processor 1835 can be functionally connected to communication platform1815 and can facilitate operations on data, e.g., symbols, bits, orchips, for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such as effecting direct andinverse fast Fourier transforms, selection of modulation rates,selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times, etc. Moreover,processor 1835 can be functionally connected, via data, system, oraddress bus 1811, to display interface 1812 and broadband networkinterface 1814, to confer, at least in part, functionality to each ofsuch components.

In access point 1805, memory 1845 can retain location and/or coveragearea, e.g., macro sector, identifier(s); access list(s) that authorizeaccess to wireless coverage through access point 1805; sectorintelligence that can include ranking of coverage areas in the wirelessenvironment of access point 1805, radio link quality and strengthassociated therewith, or the like. Memory 1845 also can store datastructures, code instructions and program modules, system or deviceinformation, code sequences for scrambling, spreading and pilottransmission, access point configuration, and so on. Processor 1835 canbe coupled, e.g., via a memory bus, to memory 1845 in order to store andretrieve information used to operate and/or confer functionality to thecomponents, platform, and interface that reside within access point1805.

With respect to FIG. 19, wireless communication environment 1900includes DLARC component 500 and macro network platform 1910, whichserves or facilitates communication with mobile device 1995 via radionetwork 1990. It should be appreciated that in cellular wirelesstechnologies, e.g., 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, macro networkplatform 1910 is embodied in a core network. It is noted that radionetwork 1990 can include base station(s), base transceiver station(s),or access point(s), and associated electronic circuitry and deploymentsite(s), in addition to a wireless radio link operated in accordancewith the base station(s). Accordingly, radio network 1990 can comprisevarious coverage cells like cell 205. In addition, it should beappreciated that although DLARC component 500 is illustrated in FIG. 19as an entity distinct from other entities, elements, and/or componentsof wireless communication environment 1900, DLARC component 500, and/orelements/components thereof, can be located/included within one or morecomponents/elements, e.g., hardware, software, etc., of wirelesscommunication environment 1900, e.g., macro network platform 1910, radionetwork 1990, and/or mobile device 1995. Further, it should beappreciated that other embodiments of systems and/or componentsdescribed herein, e.g., DLARC components 120, 230, 310, 430, and 500;DLARC systems 600, 700, and 800 can be included within one or morecomponents/elements of wireless communication environment 1900 toperform aspects associated with such systems and/or components.

Generally, macro platform 1910 includes components, e.g., nodes,gateways, interfaces, servers, or platforms that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS), e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and circuit-switched (CS) traffic,e.g., voice and data, and control generation for networked wirelesscommunication. In an aspect of the subject innovation, macro networkplatform 1910 includes CS gateway node(s) 1912 which can interface CStraffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1940,e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobilenetwork (PLMN), or a SS7 network 1960. Circuit switched gateway 1912 canauthorize and authenticate traffic, e.g., voice, arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway 1912 can access mobility or roamingdata generated through SS7 network 1960; for instance, mobility datastored in a VLR, which can reside in memory 1930. Moreover, CS gatewaynode(s) 1912 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gatewaynode(s) 1918. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, PS gateway node(s)1918 can be embodied in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN).

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1918 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served, e.g., through macro RAN, wirelessdevices. Data sessions can include traffic exchange with networksexternal to the macro network platform 1910, like wide area network(s)(WANs) 1950; enterprise networks (NWs) 1970, e.g., enhanced 911, orservice NW(s) 1980 like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). It should beappreciated that local area network(s) (LANs), which may be a part ofenterprise NW(s), can also be interfaced with macro network platform1910 through PS gateway node(s) 1918. Packet-switched gateway node(s)1918 generates packet data contexts when a data session is established.To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1918 can include a tunnelinterface, e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTSnetwork(s) (not shown), which can facilitate packetized communicationwith disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks. It should befurther appreciated that the packetized communication can includemultiple flows that can be generated through server(s) 1914. It is to benoted that in 3GPP UMTS network(s), PS gateway node(s) 1918 (e.g., GGSN)and tunnel interface (e.g., TTG) comprise a packet data gateway (PDG).

Macro network platform 1910 also includes serving node(s) 1916 that canconvey the various packetized flows of information, or data streams,received through PS gateway node(s) 1918. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, serving node(s) can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)(SGSN).

As indicated above, server(s) 1914 in macro network platform 1910 canexecute numerous applications, e.g., location services, online gaming,wireless banking, wireless device management, etc. that can generatemultiple disparate packetized data streams or flows; and can manage suchflows, e.g., schedule, queue, format. Such application(s), for examplecan include add-on features to standard services provided by macronetwork platform 1910. Data streams can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1918 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1916 for communication thereafter.Server(s) 1914 can also effect security, e.g., implement one or morefirewalls, of macro network platform 1910 to ensure network's operationand data integrity in addition to authorization and authenticationprocedures that CS gateway node(s) 1912 and PS gateway node(s) 1918 canenact. Moreover, server(s) 1914 can provision services from externalnetwork(s), e.g., WAN 1950, or Global Positioning System (GPS)network(s), which can be a part of enterprise NW(s) 1980. It is to benoted that server(s) 1914 can include one or more processors configuredto confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform1910. To that end, the one or more processors can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1930, for example.

In example wireless environment 1900, memory 1930 stores informationrelated to operation of macro network platform 1910. Information caninclude business data associated with subscribers; market plans andstrategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business partnerships;operational data for mobile devices served through macro networkplatform; service and privacy policies; end-user service logs for lawenforcement; and so forth. Memory 1930 can also store information fromat least one of telephony network(s) 1940, WAN 1950, SS7 network 1960,enterprise NW(s) 1970, or service NW(s) 1980.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsand/or processes described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of mobile devices. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” datastorage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component and/orprocess, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory,” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory, forexample, can be included in memory devices 1520, memory devices 1620,memory 1845, memory 1930, non-volatile memory 2022 (see below), diskstorage 2024 (see below), and memory storage 2046 (see below). Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory caninclude random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in manyforms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 20, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe subject innovation also can be implemented in combination with otherprogram modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and/orimplement particular abstract data types.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventivesystems can be practiced with other computer system configurations,including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems,mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, watch),microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial electronics,and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practiced indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network;however, some if not all aspects of the subject disclosure can bepracticed on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules can be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 20, a block diagram of a computing system 2000operable to execute the disclosed systems and methods is illustrated, inaccordance with an embodiment. Computer 2012 includes a processing unit2014, a system memory 2016, and a system bus 2018. System bus 2018couples system components including, but not limited to, system memory2016 to processing unit 2014. Processing unit 2014 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as processing unit 2014.

System bus 2018 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus or anexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 1194), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

System memory 2016 includes volatile memory 2020 and nonvolatile memory2022. A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing routines totransfer information between elements within computer 2012, such asduring start-up, can be stored in nonvolatile memory 2022. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 2022 can includeROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory 2020 includesRAM, which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as SRAM, dynamic RAM(DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM),enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), Rambus direct RAM(RDRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Rambus dynamic RAM(RDRAM).

Computer 2012 also includes removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 20 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 2024. Disk storage 2024 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, or memorystick. In addition, disk storage 2024 can include storage mediaseparately or in combination with other storage media including, but notlimited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device(CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RWDrive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitateconnection of the disk storage devices 2024 to system bus 2018, aremovable or non-removable interface is typically used, such asinterface 2026.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 20 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and computer resources described in suitableoperating environment 2000. Such software includes an operating system2028. Operating system 2028, which can be stored on disk storage 2024,acts to control and allocate resources of computer system 2012. Systemapplications 2030 take advantage of the management of resources byoperating system 2028 through program modules 2032 and program data 2034stored either in system memory 2016 or on disk storage 2024. It is to beappreciated that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented withvarious operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands or information, e.g., via interface component830, into computer 2011 through input device(s) 2036. Input devices 2036include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse,trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad,satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital videocamera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connectto processing unit 2014 through system bus 2018 via interface port(s)2038. Interface port(s) 2038 include, for example, a serial port, aparallel port, a game port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Outputdevice(s) 2040 use some of the same type of ports as input device(s)2036.

Thus, for example, a USB port can be used to provide input to computer2012 and to output information from computer 2012 to an output device2040. Output adapter 2042 is provided to illustrate that there are someoutput devices 2040 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among otheroutput devices 2040, which use special adapters. Output adapters 2042include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide means of connection between output device 2040 andsystem bus 2018. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems ofdevices provide both input and output capabilities such as remotecomputer(s) 2044.

Computer 2012 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)2044. Remote computer(s) 2044 can be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, apeer device, or other common network node and the like, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to computer2012.

For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 2046 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 2044. Remote computer(s) 2044 islogically connected to computer 2012 through a network interface 2048and then physically connected via communication connection 2050. Networkinterface 2048 encompasses wire and/or wireless communication networkssuch as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). LANtechnologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), CopperDistributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ring and the like.WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links,circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks(ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and DigitalSubscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 2050 refer(s) to hardware/software employedto connect network interface 2048 to bus 2018. While communicationconnection 2050 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 2012,it can also be external to computer 2012. The hardware/software forconnection to network interface 2048 can include, for example, internaland external technologies such as modems, including regular telephonegrade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernetcards.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

1. An apparatus comprising: a base unit configured to: receive a messagecorresponding to at least one of a call directed to a wirelesscommunication device or an other message directed to at least one of thewireless communication device or a wired communication device; anddistribute an alert to at least one remote unit based on the message forbroadcast of the alert by the at least one remote unit or for broadcastof an other alert by the at least one remote unit.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the base unit is configured to receive the message viaa wired interface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base unit isconfigured to receive the message via a wireless interface.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, the wireless interface comprises at least one of:an infrared interface; a microcell; a microcell access point; apicocell; a picocell access point; a femtocell; a femtocell accesspoint; a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi™) access point; a WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX™) access point; aBluetooth™ access point; an Enhanced General Packet Radio Service(Enhanced GPRS) access point; a Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) access point; a Long Term Evolution (LTE™) access point; a ThirdGeneration Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) access point; an Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB) access point; a 3GPP Universal Mobile TelecommunicationSystem (UMTS) access point; a High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) accesspoint; a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) access point; a HighSpeed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) access point; an LTE™ Advanced(LTE-A) access point; or a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)access point.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base unit isconfigured to distribute the alert to the at least one remote unit via awired interface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base unit isconfigured to distribute the alert to the at least one remote unit via awireless interface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, the wireless interfacecomprises at least one of: an infrared interface, a microcell; amicrocell access point; a picocell; a picocell access point; afemtocell; a femtocell access point; a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi™) accesspoint; a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX™) accesspoint; a Bluetooth™ access point; an Enhanced General Packet RadioService (Enhanced GPRS) access point; a Third Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) access point; a Long Term Evolution (LTE™) access point;a Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) access point; an UltraMobile Broadband (UMB) access point; a 3GPP Universal MobileTelecommunication System (UMTS) access point; a High Speed Packet Access(HSPA) access point; a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) accesspoint; a High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) access point; an LTE™Advanced (LTE-A) access point; or a Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM) access point.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe base unit comprises: a configuration component configured to receiveinput from at least one subscriber associated with the at least one ofthe wireless communication device or the wired communication device;wherein the base unit is configured to distribute a customized alert tothe at least one remote unit based on the input for broadcast of thecustomized alert by the at least one remote unit or for broadcast of another customized alert by the at least one remote unit.
 9. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein the customized alert or the other customized alertcomprises at least one of a ring tone emitted via the at least oneremote unit or a color of light emitted via the at least one remoteunit, the ring tone and the color of light associated with the at leastone subscriber.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the configurationcomponent comprises: an interface configured to receive the input fromthe at least one subscriber via the Internet.
 11. An apparatuscomprising: a remote component configured to: receive an alert at aremote unit, the alert distributed by a base unit based on at least oneof a call directed to a wireless communication device or an othermessage directed to at least one of the wireless communication device ora wired communication device; and broadcast the alert or an other alertfrom the remote unit in response to receiving the alert.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the remote component comprises aninterface component configured to: receive an input at the remote unitbased on the alert; wherein the remote component is further configuredto transmit, based on the input, a response to the at least one of thecall directed to the wireless communication device or the other messagedirected to the at least one of the wireless communication device or thewired communication device from the remote unit.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the remote component is configured to: transmit theresponse via at least one of a short message service (SMS) protocol, amultimedia messaging service (MMS) protocol, or an internet messaging(IM) protocol.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the remotecomponent comprises an interface component configured to: receive aninput at the remote unit based on the alert; wherein the remotecomponent is configured to at least one of: receive, based on the input,the at least one of the call directed to the wireless communicationdevice or the other message directed to the at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or the wired communication device at the remoteunit; or accept, based on the input, the at least one of the calldirected to the wireless communication device or the other messagedirected to the at least one of the wireless communication device or thewired communication device at the remote unit.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the remote component is configured to: display acaller identification (ID) at the remote unit, the caller ID associatedwith the at least one of the call directed to the wireless communicationdevice or the other message directed to the at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or the wired communication device.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the remote component is configured tobroadcast the alert from the remote unit via at least one of an audibleor a visual means or broadcast the other alert from the remote unit viathe at least one of the audible or the visual means.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, the at least one of the audible or the visual meanscomprises at least one of a sound device or a light emitting diode(LED).
 18. A method comprising: receiving a first message by a base unitindicating a phone call is directed to a wireless communication deviceor a second message is directed to at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or a wired device; and transmitting a third messagefrom the base unit to at least one remote unit based on the firstmessage, the third message indicating at least one of an audio alert forbroadcast by the at least one remote unit or a visual alert forbroadcast by the at least one remote unit.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising: receiving an input at the at least one remote unit;and at least one of accepting or responding to the phone call or thesecond message via the at least one remote unit based on the input. 20.A system comprising: means for receiving an alert by one or more remoteunits, the alert distributed from a base unit based on a messageindicating a call is directed to a wireless communication device oranother message is directed to at least one of the wirelesscommunication device or a wired communication device; and means foremitting at least one of sound or light from the one or more remoteunits based on the alert.